4 miles of Bliss

It has been 10 days since I was able to run outside. This crazy Michigan winter has really put a monkey wrench in my Marathon training. Between the negative wind chills and the constant snow storms,  I wondered if I ever would get back outside.  Wednesdays is usually my long day at work and I really don't do much after work because I'm so exhausted when I get home. I left work today and the sun was shining and it was 20 degrees. Perfect opportunity to lace up and get outside. I got all layered up and got out to start my run. I got to. 37 mile and my sweetie came down the road holding a Burger King bag in his hand. He stopped and picked me up while I paused my run.

YES, I ATE THE WHOLE THING! 

Finished my dinner and went back out to finish my run. The sun was so bright but not that warm but I really didn't care because it was just nice to run the roads again. 

I was thinking of my daughter Cassie's Facebook post. She was wanting to go out and run but she hated the cold temperatures and wondered how her mom could run in the winter. She ended her post by saying she thought I was a little cray. Yes Cassie, I'm a little cray...Lol.

Trying to beat them winter blues

Ah, cabin fever in Michigan! This has been a really weird winter for this state. It's been a few years since we've experienced negative degree temperatures. This week will be the second round of arctic cold...polar bears could live here right now..lol

Or even penguins

On Saturday, I dedicated my miles to Meg Cross Menzies. 

I ran on my treadmill, which wasn't what I prefer but it was late in the day and I needed to do my miles. I got very emotional running my 3.40 miles. I did not know Meg but she was a runner and that's all that mattered. I thought of  her young children which made me think of my own. It was a bittersweet run.

Today, I put on my winter running gear, laced up my shoes and hit the snowy and ice covered road. I didn't care about time or pace..I was just happy to be outside.I ran my normal route and did 3.11 miles. Another 5k for Meg.

Next up will be my first virtual half marathon distance of the year.

Winter WonderRun half marathon

I hope I can catch a nice day this week to run outside but with lake effect snow in the forecast, it may all have to be on the treadmill..of course I'm a little crazy enough to run in a snowstorm...maybe..lol

Family weekend

This has been a very relaxing weekend visiting my family. My daughter Cassie turned 18 on the 7th and I came back to my hometown area to celebrate with her. Staying with my twin brother John and his wife Shandy.
We picked up my son Andy before heading to Greenville to meet Cassie and her boyfriend Howie.

We met at Pizza Hut and had a really fun time.

Cassie's boyfriend, Howie, had his birthday the day after Cassie and my sister in law Shandy had her birthday today.

My son makes me smile

Special times

Cute couple!! :-)

Quit whining and just do it

Didn't feel that great today..I think I have cabin fever..lol. Well, I kept stalling all day to do my workout. Finally I sent my arse down to the basement and did my strength exercises and then jumped on the dreadmill and crushed 4 miles. Finished my finished my first virtual race for 2014. Feeling good now..no more whining

Is this Michigan or the Arctic Circle...BURRR

My fiancee Todd and I woke this morning, like most Midwesterners, digging out of snow drifts. We took turns shoveling the driveway until his brother showed up with his plow.
We had to go into town and had an interesting morning of seeing people getting stuck on the side roads.

We had to turn around to help a man that fell in the snow. 

We got home and went to shovel his aunt's porch so her doggie could get out and do his business. :)

We came back home to relax then we got bundled up again to walk to the store.

4 miles and an hour and a half later, we got back home and Todd finished shoveling our driveway and his aunt's driveway.

I put in my mile run on the treadmill and 45 minutes of strength exercises.

Time to stay in, eat some yummy food and relax with a game of rummy...Todd won :D

Good night Michigan Winter Wonderland

Shoot For The Moon

This is a big honking BLING!!!

I signed up for the Shoot for the Moon challenge at the beginning of 2013.

The Fit 4 Life Shoot for the Moon challenge began 2013 with the challenge of running, cycling, walking, rowing, climbing the distance between the Earth and the moon...238,900 miles. As a team, we accomplished it and beyond.

I was pretty happy with my results:

2013 miles

Swimming: 2.36

Cycling: 640.45

Walking: 116.66

RUNNING: 551.24

TOTAL MILES: 1310.71

2014 will be even better. 

FULL MOON 5k

Each month has a full moon, so starting with the first one on January 16th I will run 5k (3.10 miles). This is what the bling looks like..8 inch medal

WONDERS of the WORLD CHALLENGE

The total distance for this challenge is 264,348 miles. As a team, we are going to "travel" the circumference of the Earth over 10 times. Our miles will go towards different Wonders of the World and at the end we will earn the big bling!!

It will be an exciting adventure :)

New Year...New Adventures

I really don't make a New Year resolution because I never stick to them. I always have the good intentions of doing them and being successful but it never pans out. So, I think what works for me is to  challenge myself. I've already accomplished something before even the New Year begins. My birthday was November 7th and that was the day I quit smoking.  What? Huh? (I'm sorry if you spit coffee on your screen) Yes, I started smoking about 4 years ago...WHAT!!! Yeah, yeah, I know..why would you do something as stupid as start smoking?  Well, it was a stressful time for me and it was  something that just happened.  Now the crazy part is that when I started cycling and then transitioned into running, I was still smoking.  How crazy is that?  My lungs didn't know what I was doing to them :( Well, I will let you know that I will be 2 months smoke free on January 7th :)  I feel so  much better, I can run faster and longer. I will never go back to smoking (knock on wood).  Well, lets  get back to  my personal challenges for 2014.

TOP FIVE 2014 CHALLENGES

 5) Read my collection of Diana Gabaldon novels

4) Stick with my running team (Presque Isle Runners...GO PIR!) monthly  workouts. Hoping  for some lovely abs by summer :)
5) Eat better...I struggle with this everyday. I don't beat myself up over it but I know  I could make better choices. Instead of this on my break at work

I could eat this...

or even this...

LOOKS YUMMY DON'T IT?



2) Drink more water... I did a 24 hour challenge through my Fit 4 Life team where we had to drink half our body weight in water. I used two 10 oz bottles from my fuel belt to keep track of how much I drank that day. My total amount  was 70 oz of water.
I realized that I don't drink enough water. I will also challenge myself and cut out  soft drinks. I'm pretty much there but once in awhile I have a craving for a Mt. Dew :)
 And my number 1 challenge...drum roll please...

 1) Run my first full marathon!!!
I must be crazy...someone check if I have a fever..lol.


I ran my first official 10k in 2013 at the Flying Pig Marathon and I will return to Cincinnati to do the full marathon.

26.2 miles of blood, sweat and tears. 

 So..the challenges are written down..I'm ready to crush them. :)

 

It's melon time

Check out @DuchessJoy73's Tweet: https://twitter.com/DuchessJoy73/status/416885436796387328

Gift of Life

I love virtual races! This one I just finished tonight is the third in the fall series through Fit4Life race series. I did the distance on my treadmill and divided it into 3 runs. Tonight's run was only 3 miles but it felt like nine, as tired as I felt. Probably has to do with the huge Christmas dinner I ate a few hours before. At any rate, it was my best time for a half marathon distance...I'm happy :-)

Winter Miles Challenge

I've been following the blog Run with Jess since the beginning of 2013. She is a fellow Moms Run this Town chapter leader. She has a new challenge beginning January 6th through March 2nd. The challenge is free to participate, you pick your distance and if you make your goal each week you can be entered into a giveaway each week.
PICK YOUR DISTANCE
Beginner- 10 miles a week
Intermediate-20 miles a week
Trainer-30 miles a week
Advanced- 40 miles a week
Ultra- 50 miles a week

PRIZE GIVEAWAY EACH WEEK
8 weeks of awesome prizes and one week has a bonus!!

Register through January 12th here www.runwithjess.com/2013/12/winter-miles-challenge-2014.html?m=1http://

This will be a great way to stay active this winter and get my training in for my first marathon in the spring.
My distance goal is 30 miles a week. I can't wait to start!

Leg hugs

I received a wonderful gift from my friend Nancy last week. These feel like a great big hug around my legs. I love my CEP Compression sleeves :)

Moms Run this Town

I am the chapter leader of the Southwest Michigan chapter of Moms Run this Town.
http://momsrunthistown.com/southwestmi/

If you are a gal that loves to walk, run, cycle or all of the above, you are welcome to join my group

Let's start the New Year right and get healthy and active! :-)

My Year of Running 2013

This has been a great year of running for me. I ran my first official race, the Flying Pig Marathon. I did a 10k and I'm hoping to do my first full marathon next year. I increased my mileage and improved my pace. I've made and met a lot of great people. Most of my races have been through virtual runs. www.fit4liferaceseries.com has kept me busy running and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
2013 stats
Swimming: 2.36 miles
Walking: 116.66 miles
Cycling: 640.45 miles
RUNNING: 551.24

2014 goal: 1000 running miles

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Pub Run 2013

December 8, 2013...I ran the 2013 Pub Run in Benton Harbor Michigan. It was very cold but well worth it. I enjoy running in the cold and snow. I need to invest in  YakTrax.